BENTLEY'S latest car is the fastest ever to roll out of the company's Crewe plant.

Bosses at the Pym's Lane site say the new Continental GT Speed is the most powerful car in its series and can reach speeds of 202mph - almost three times the national motorway speed limit.

An addition to the successful Continental series, the launch of the new model follows the booming luxury car company's announcement last week that it had recorded an 18% profit leap in the first six months of 2007 with a total of 5,600 cars sold - many of them abroad where speed limits are higher.

A Bentley spokesman said the new model was aimed at drivers 'who place a high value on outright performance and agile handling.'

The spokesman added: 'Inspiration for the GT Speed came from the legendary 'Speed' models that first appeared in 1923, and the standard Bentley had already established Bentley's engineering superiority in terms of road-holding, handling and braking.

'But W O Bentley, the company's founder, recognised the market potential for a more potent version.

'His response, the 'Speed Model', complete with twin SU carburetors and a higher compression ratio engine, became one of the most coveted of all Bentleys.'

Ofthe new model, the spokesman added: 'Its 600bhp (610PS) W12 engine develops 15% more torque and 9% more power than the standard Continental GT. The resultant performance is exceptional, with a top speed of 202mph, and can go from zero to 60mph in just 4.3 seconds.'

Bentley chief executive Dr Franz Josef-Paefgen said the Continental GT model was another prized addition to the Bentley fleet.